Predicting the Miami Heat's 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting the Miami Heat's 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

By Jared Doyle

July 16, 2015

Predicting the Miami Heat's 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade — The Miami Heat had one of the most successful free agency periods of any team in the NBA based on the players they were able to retain and the players the team was able to sign for an extremely small contract. With the Eastern Conference ever changing, the Heat could potentially go from lottery bound to a top two seed in no time. Here is the projected starting five for the Heat following their extremely successful free agency in 2015.

The Miami Heat had one of the most successful free agency periods of any team in the NBA based on the players they were able to retain and the players the team was able to sign for an extremely small contract. With the Eastern Conference ever changing, the Heat could potentially go from lottery bound to a top two seed in no time. Here is the projected starting five for the Heat following their extremely successful free agency in 2015.

Center- Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside

Center- Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside — After an extremely dominant first year with the Heat, there is no question as to who the starting center will be next season. Hassan Whiteside managed to completely change the Heat’s frontcourt rotation in terms of depth, averaging 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. His current salary is one of the best bargains in the league right now, as Whiteside is due just $ 770,000 next season.

After an extremely dominant first year with the Heat, there is no question as to who the starting center will be next season. Hassan Whiteside managed to completely change the Heat’s frontcourt rotation in terms of depth, averaging 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. His current salary is one of the best bargains in the league right now, as Whiteside is due just $ 770,000 next season.

Power Forward- Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh

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Power Forward- Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh — Chris Bosh is the obvious choice for the starting power forward position in next season’s lineup. Bosh’s lung scare might hamper him a bit in the early stages of training camp, but the 12-year stretch forward should be ready to shoulder starting minutes come October. Bosh managed to average over 21 points and seven rebounds a game last season, and that was with missing over half of the regular season.

Chris Bosh is the obvious choice for the starting power forward position in next season’s lineup. Bosh’s lung scare might hamper him a bit in the early stages of training camp, but the 12-year stretch forward should be ready to shoulder starting minutes come October. Bosh managed to average over 21 points and seven rebounds a game last season, and that was with missing over half of the regular season.

Small Forward- Luol Deng

Luol Deng

Small Forward- Luol Deng

Luol Deng — By opting into the final year of his contract, Luol Deng has agreed to two important tasks with the Heat organization. One is to mentor No. 10 overall pick Justise Winslow into becoming the future franchise wing player the Heat have desperately needed since LeBron James' departure. The second is to continue being the starting small forward and overall glue guy on the court with the rest of the starters.

By opting into the final year of his contract, Luol Deng has agreed to two important tasks with the Heat organization. One is to mentor No. 10 overall pick Justise Winslow into becoming the future franchise wing player the Heat have desperately needed since LeBron James' departure. The second is to continue being the starting small forward and overall glue guy on the court with the rest of the starters.

Shooting Guard- Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade

Shooting Guard- Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade — The unquestioned face of the franchise will continue to be the starting shooting guard for the Heat next season. The real question is, will Dwyane Wade be able to stay healthy and play more than 50-60 games next season? The Heat have some serious depth, but Wade still needs to be at his best for the majority of the season if the Heat want to make some noise.

The unquestioned face of the franchise will continue to be the starting shooting guard for the Heat next season. The real question is, will Dwyane Wade be able to stay healthy and play more than 50-60 games next season? The Heat have some serious depth, but Wade still needs to be at his best for the majority of the season if the Heat want to make some noise.

Point Guard- Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic

Point Guard- Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic — Pat Riley and the rest of the Heat organization gave up a moderate amount of assets to acquire Goran Dragic at the trade deadline and offered a near max deal of $ 88 million over five years to keep the All-Star point guard in a Heat uniform. Dragic will be leading the charge in the starting lineup next season, offering a mix of excellent playmaking and scoring that the Heat haven’t had from their starting point guard in quite some time.

Pat Riley and the rest of the Heat organization gave up a moderate amount of assets to acquire Goran Dragic at the trade deadline and offered a near max deal of $ 88 million over five years to keep the All-Star point guard in a Heat uniform. Dragic will be leading the charge in the starting lineup next season, offering a mix of excellent playmaking and scoring that the Heat haven’t had from their starting point guard in quite some time.

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